07.31.10

These beautiful flowers have been blooming all over Baltimore -- and they just made me happy today. :)

07.30.10

Woot! Although I can claim no part in this -- it is still pretty fantastic to know that Johns Hopkins has been the #1 hospital for the past 20 years (and many, many times Mayo has been #2 -- not too shabby).

07.29.10

Excessive? Not sure. Sorry if there are offensive bumper stickers on here (which there are)...I just wanted all of you to see this. I did stop in the rain to take this lovely photo. The van that these stickers were on had all of the windows open...a quality piece of machinery to be sure. I do like the "hogs smell better barbequed" one -- it's just classy, timeless.

07.28.10

MMMMMMM...I love Iggies! Some of the best pizza around, to be sure. AND -- it's BYOB (a Baltimore concept that apparently started because they will no longer give out liquor licenses....and so in order to get people to come to their restaurant's they had to make it BYOB). Cool, huh? Dad, when you come in September I think we'll go to Iggies -- you'll like it. They are also a dog friendly establishment. Anna M., Ashly, Susan and I went to celebrate Susan's return to the states.

07.27.10

I got to work a little bit early on Tuesday and so I got some of my favorite candy and found a bench to read "The Help." All I wanted a that point was to get a phone call to say that I had been cancelled...because once I get started on a good book there is no going back. Unfortunately that didn't happen, so I'll have to finish it another time.

07.26.10

Tusen Takk! There must be some very polite Norwegian's up here!

07.25.10

So, although this sign may not look like much, Shock Trauma is the top trauma center in Maryland. Hopkins is well known for their research, but Shock Trauma at the University of Maryland is where all of the truly big, crazy cases go. Almost every night at work I see a "GSW" come in to shock trauma from security's monitors. A "GSW" is a gun shot wound.

07.24.10

Who doesn't want a little midnight meal of chicken, pizza, macaroni and cheese, meatloaf, and ice cream? These are some of the ladies that I work with on the mother/baby unit, from left to right, Ellaine, Lashanda, Jenny, Rosselle, and Sandra. It was a belated birthday celebration for Ellaine. By the way, Lashanda knows that her hair is out of control! Haha...I had been "teasing" it all night. :)

07.23.10

Heat index: 101, or 1 million degrees, whatever...they feel the same. The sepia effect toned down the "glistening" a little bit, but not much really. Regardless, the TWINS were in town! Woohoo. They played horribly, but these two beautiful ladies (plus one of Anna's friends) came along and helped me to cheer them on.

07.22.10

Alright, this one is for you Mom. Without googling the answer...which of your favorite movies has a scene filmed here? It is the Broadway Pier in Baltimore...does it look familiar? I would say it is one of your top 10 favorite films of all time. (Hint: In the movie they do not say that they are in Baltimore)...

07.21.10

"Snowballs" or, if you're from the Midwest, "Sno-cones". Don't try to change anyone's opinions of what they are really called, because it can't be done. Either way, on a hot ass day in B-more, they are delicious.

07.20.10

Cool, huh? Gotta love tacky B-more.

07.19.10

New license plates! (Not for me, but for the state of Maryland). They are only until the bicentennial, so 2012. I'm not sure that they are the best design, but they are definitely more colorful than the other Maryland plates.

07.18.10

Artscape! It was a hot, sweaty, art-filled Baltimore mess...oh, and did I mention wonderful as well?! These are Ashly's friends from DC who came up for the event, just taking in everything that is Artscape.

07.17.10

The "World Famous Lexington Market." Well, apparently it is quite the thing to see...however, I am too scared to set foot in there at night, and honestly probably even during the day. That is why I took this picture from the University of Maryland parking garage...because any closer and you are bound to run into a number of sketchy characters! (no joke). My coworkers at Maryland said that they would take me there someday, so I'll report back if I ever do get brave enough to go inside.

07.16.10

This one's for you Mr. Broxterman! (Lauren, please share with him) What do you think? Talk about a hot mess! I think that everyone just thought...hmm...a pole...perhaps I'll hang some wires from it and see what happens!

07.15.10

So...in the kind and oh-so-loving words of my twin sister..."I mean, Anna, your dresser is new, but I was suprised when I saw some of the clothes that were still in it..." Thanks Cass. Now beings the clothing from 2002 purge of 2010. :) So far, so good.

07.14.10

So...if you remember awhile back I posted a picture of a mural that I saw a woman painting. Well, apparently she was busy while I was back home because I saw this one today! I don't like this one quite as much as the first, but they are both way better than anything I could ever paint, so I'm impressed.

07.13.10

Hello Victor! Welcome to the world little one. :) Van is one of my Birth Companions clients who unfortunately I was unable to attend the birth of. However, I have seen her twice since, today to help her make sure that she got health insurance for the baby as well as to accompany her on the baby's first doctor visit. They are both doing really well!

07.12.10

Haha -- new definition to the phrase "caught in the rain." YIKES! Caught in a downpour for 7 blocks is more like it. I was dripping wet, soaked from head to toe. Note: when it looks like rain, maybe you should pack an umbrella!

07.11.10

Baltimore Farmers' Market! :) Right under I-83. Kind of a strange place to have a farmers' market, but it was really cool. I got peaches, green beans and handmade granola. All in all a fun experience.

07.10.10

YAY! Finally! After it has been out for a couple of weeks I got to see Eclipse. :) Yay for Team Jacob and Team Edward.

07.09.10

A clever marketing scheme? Or a bold-faced lie? This is the bench that is at all of the bus stops in Baltimore. Don't get me wrong, I really like Baltimore, but there may be a city or two that I can think of that would top it!

07.08.10

Look what I found Cassie! I didn't try it out because I'm nervous that they didn't leave their mystery white product out in the sun all day to give it the questionableness of the elote in Guanajuato! :)

07.07.10

Let's keep this nice and simple. "Bar." I mean, really...can we not all just hear that conversation.

Guy #1 "I was thinking 'Mark and Sam's Watering Hole'"

Guy #2 "Well, it has a nice ring to it....but no. Let's not confuse people. How about 'Bar'?"

Guy #1 "Done"

07.06.10

Goodbye Long Lake! See you again in August. :) Thanks for the wonderful two week vacation at home!

07.05.10

First word that comes to mind? "Showy!?" This is the Minnesota state flower (which is protected), and it is the pink and white ladyslipper. We missed out on the peak of the flowers this year, but it was fun to go and find them nonetheless. This particular variety of the ladyslipper is apparently also known as the "Showy Ladyslipper." :)

07.04.10

Oh no....trouble in the newlywed game! Just look at the love in Trashy Tiffany's eyes! Hahaha! From left to right we have "Mrs. G.," "Trashy Tiffany," "Drewster" -- divorce attorney at law, "Caster" -- divorce attorney at law, "Esther Griswald," and "Crazy Aunt Mary"! :) Our family may need to tame down the whole wedding shower thing. OUT OF CONTROL!

07.03.10

Hey hey hey hey! :) Miss Meyer made her way to Long Lake at last! :) Sporting only the sweetest of dock attire, she brought her Belgium joy with her.

07.02.10

Look who came to the cabin?! YAY! Absolutely made my day -- it was wonderful to catch up with both Hannah and Tom. I can't wait to see you both again soon! I hope that you enjoy the rest of your time in MN, including lots more delicious Zorbaz food!

07.01.10

Hello from Anna and Audrey! We're waving from the lake. I have MISSED this little girl immensely, and now she is here and I am thoroughly enjoying her company.